OLLI President's Message February 7, 2020 By Bill Taylor, PresidentI’m trying my best to carry out the spring 2020 Outreach Campaign. At my regular men’s group meeting during Week 1, I explained about OLLI. I also gave them the informational flyers about the spring term and about the winter term courses that are open to the public. I hope that you have also been finding opportunities to spread the word.Here’s the Third Week of Four Things YOU can do to increase OLLI membership in the 2020 Outreach Campaign, a program put together by the Outreach Committee and Rosemary Lubinski, Chair:Week 3 February 10: Pick up some flyers in the main office and post at places you frequent such as clubs, gyms, stores, apartment buildings, churches, etc. Try to post at least one a week until the spring session starts.
The Computer Club (OLLI Personal Computer User Group, or OPCUG) will meet with its partner, the Potomac Area Technology and Computer Society (PATACS), on Saturday, February 15, at Tallwood. Join us at 12:30 for socializing. Program activities begin at 1:00 in TA1.
Staying Safe Online: a Rational Approach – Presented by Pam Holland: Join us for an informative discussion led by Pam Holland of TechMoxie on how to recognize phishing (fraudulent) emails, avoid computer viruses and scams, and the best practices for passwords. The presentation will include a review of actual fraudulent emails and scam “pop up” computer virus warnings.
After more than 20 years practicing law, Pam founded TechMoxie out of a love of technology and the passion for simplifying the complex. Pam loves helping people with their technology–there is nothing more satisfying than taking frustration out of someone’s life.
Learn in 30:Overcoming a Loose Charging Socket on a Cell Phone: This presentation came about because, in the summer of 2019, John noticed his corporate iPhone 6s and its Lightning charging cable were no longer the best of buddies. One nudge of the phone or the cable, and the cable fell out of the charging socket on the phone. John will show you how to figure out if the phone or the cable is at fault. In John's case, it was the phone's socket for USB charging and USB data transfer. His company told him the phone was not broken and he would be eligible for an upgrade in a year. What other options are there to recharge the phone's battery? You will find out, and ultimately learn John's very inexpensive and low-tech solution.
John is a frequent contributor to PATACS Posts newsletter, and occasionally provides presentations on technical issues at OPCUG/PATACS meetings.
See full details on this meeting by clicking here. For information on the Computer Club, see the OPCUG website. OPCUG dues of $5 for 2020 will be collected at this meeting.
Can't make the meeting in person? Dues-paid club members may attend via Zoom's cloud meeting service, beginning at 12:45. Send a message to webinarhosts@patacs.org if you plan to attend in this way. Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android: https://zoom.us/j/519103813 (Meeting ID: 519 103 813).
On Being a Board Member By Gloria Loew, Board of Directors MemberI knew about OLLI and knew that I wanted to join, but waited until my 65th birthday, thinking that that number would make me old enough. I eagerly walked into my first class, looked around, and decided that I had made a mistake. Everyone in the class looked old, or older than I pictured myself. I listened to the lecture, very unhappy. Then the talk ended, and the Q&A started. As I listened to my classmates ask questions, I realized that I was in a truly rarefied atmosphere. Yes, these people were older. But they were a special group of older people, many of them way out of my league.Another thing I realized fairly quickly is that OLLI members come from a lot of different professional backgrounds. It’s been wonderful to get to know people I otherwise would never have met. And attending classes with them gives me access to interesting perspectives that I probably wouldn’t arrive at on my own.OLLI needs the diverse skills and talents that we bring from our past professional lives. Some of us love the social events and enjoy putting them together. Others like to plan and teach classes. Working in the office is a terrific help to OLLI and a great way to help people individually. Become active on the committees that make OLLI a vibrant community.
Here’s another idea: join the Board of Directors. Are you a creative thinker, a problem solver who thinks outside the box? Attend and participate in a Board meeting. If you like it, consider running for a seat on the Board. We will soon begin working on a Strategic Plan that will ensure that OLLI continues to enrich our lives into the next decade. Join us.
Editor’s Note: This is one of a series of articles by current Board members to give readers some insight into what is involved in serving on the Board.
Join the Musical Journey at Mason By Linda H. Harber, Board Member, Friends of Music at MasonMusic has always been a part of my life. From listening to Broadway records as a little girl, to playing violin through high school, to singing and musical theater through college–what a joy!Later during those years of working hard and also raising two boys, my time for music became more limited. And when I retired, the true musical fun began.First, I became involved with some wonderful people
–Friends of Music at Mason–and joined their board. They support scholarship funds for talented music students through both friend-raising and fundraising. And best of all, my husband and I get to attend many wonderful Mason music events at a low senior cost or free. It is special to help fill the audiences supporting this talent.Mason’s music school is nationally known and headed by the incredible Dr. Linda Apple Monson. From opera to jazz and piano to steel drum, Mason music has everything.
Last May, I had a wonderful opportunity to sing with Mason’s University Chorale at Carnegie Hall. Mason’s Dr. Lisa Billingham conducted a group of three different choirs, with ages 14-85. Watch for the Broadway Chorale Showcase concert coming April 18 at the Center for the Arts.
Being able to sing and act with the OLLI players has been fun also. What a great group!
Listening to music has been shown to relax and de-stress. Supporting both the local performing arts scene and talented students completing their education are benefits from being a Friend of Music. Check out the wonderful Mason music events that Shelly Gersten lists in every OLLI E-News. Parking is close by with your OLLI parking pass.
Make a 2020 resolution to support our incredible Mason music students. See you at upcoming music events!
Theater Expert to Discuss Community Theater at TLG February Meeting By Norma Jean Reck, TLG CoordinatorAll OLLI members are cordially invited to attend the Theater Lovers' Group (TLG) meeting to hear a presentation by Terri Ritchey (shown at right) on the Prince William Little Theater (PWLT) and Sister Act. TLG will meet on Wednesday, February 26, in TA-1 at 2:00. Terri, an OLLI member, says she loves being on stage. She is an experienced director, choreographer, sound technician, and board member. She has also worked with the Little Theatre of Alexandria, Reston Community Theatre, and Castaways.At present, Terri is producing Sister Act for the PWLT at Mason's Hylton Performing Arts Center in Manassas. Sister Act is a feel-good musical comedy based on the 1992 film. Basically, a disco diva who witnesses a murder is put in protective custody in the one place cops would not think to look–a convent! Glorious gospel music, outrageous dancing, and laugh-out-loud hilarity will leave you breathless. Sister Act is also a tribute to the universal power of friendship.All OLLI members and your guests are invited to join TLG members to see Sister Act on Sunday, March 15, at 2:00. We will have an optional pre-show lunch in Manassas, and we carpool. Group rate for tickets is $20/person. To sign up to see Sister Act with TLG or for more information, email njreck@cs.com.
In our grandfather’s painting of Shaftsbury is
a young man who has just paused and turned
to gaze at the thatched-roof cottage on his right.
He has already, I’ve always thought, looked at
the high, stone-buttressed wall of the abbey
to his left and probably exchanged greetings
with the black-robed cleric standing there,
at the far edge of the painting, where the
cobblestone street curves so sharply, skirting
the old abbey wall.
Of the street below the wall, very little
can be seen--a narrow strip of cobblestones,
a tiled roof--and on the plain much further
down, only the blue-green blur of trees in
Blackmore Vale. Soon, he will resume his walk
up Gold Hill, while we, decades later, keep on
drifting down it, hovering mostly above that
sharp curve and wishing, again and again,
to see around it.
OLLI member Joseph W. Francis died December 29, 2019 at his home in Herndon, VA. He was devoted to lifelong learning and joined OLLI in 2013.
He earned a master’s degree from the US Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island. He worked in the Senior Intelligence Service in the federal government, and later was a consultant at General Dynamics Corporation.
A memorial service was held on January 6, 2020, in Herndon. More information is available at this link.
For tickets for either Center for the Arts Concert Hall (CFA) or Hylton Center, call 1-888-945-2468, buy tickets online through the event calendar (see links below), or visit the venue's box office. For more information, see the CFA ticket pageor the Hylton Centerticket purchase page.
At the Fairfax Campus Venues
Fairfax Symphony Orchestra: The Four Seasons
Sat, Feb 8, 8:00
Concert Hall
Hear the stories behind the music with music director Christopher Zimmerman and special guests before the concert at 7:00.
Admission: $25 - $65.
Virginia Opera: Cinderella
Sat, Feb 15, 8:00
Sun, Feb 16, 2:00
Center for the Arts
A pre-performance discussion begins on Monson Grand Tier 45 minutes prior to the performance.
Admission: $110, $70, $40.
Faculty Artist Series
Fri, Feb 7, 7:00, Dr. Elissa Alvarez (soprano)
Sun, Feb 9, 3:00, The Gunston Ensemble (strings & piano)
Sun, Feb 9, 7:00, Prof. Kerry Wilkerson (bass-baritone)
Sat, Feb 15, 8:00, Ensemble de Camera of Washington (piano, violin, clarinet)
Sun, Feb 16, 7:00, The Artemis Trio (flute, horn, piano)
Fri, Feb 21, 8:00, Prof. Christopher Jewell (bassoon) and Emily Foster (oboe)
Sat, Feb 22, 8:00, Dr. Mirtcheva Blevins, Dr. Yoonji Kim, and Dr. Kimberly Yi (piano)
Sun, Feb 23, 3:00, Dr. Kathy Mulcahy (clarinet)
Sun, Feb 23, 7:00, Dr. Eunae Ko Han (piano)
Sun, Mar 1, 3:00, Dr. David Porter (tuba)
Sun, Mar 1, 7:00, Dr. Anna Balakerskaia and Friends (piano)
Harris Theatre
Admission: Free.
Gallery Exhibition: 9th Annual Prince William County Public Schools Student Exhibition
Beginning Tue, Jan 21, 10:00
Buchanan Partners Art Gallery
The Buchanan Partners Art Gallery is open to the public Tue-Sat, 10:00-6:00.
Gallery Reception: Sun, Feb 9, 2:00
RSVP to smeyer3@gmu.edu.
Admission: Free.
The Mason Cabaret: Celebrating the Great American Songbook!
Fri, Feb 7, 8:00
Gregory Family Theatre
Admission: $30 Adults; $15 seniors.
Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra
Sat, Feb 8, 8:00
Merchant Hall
A pre-performance discussion begins in Merchant Hall one hour prior to the performance.
Admission: $46, $39, $28.
Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia: The Rainbow Fish
Sun, Feb 9, 1:00 and 4:00
Merchant Hall
Between performances, from 2:00 – 4:00 a free Family Open House in celebration of the new education and rehearsal wing. Enjoy interactive, family-friendly activities featuring community partners, fun giveaways, craft areas, snacks, and an opportunity to explore the new wing.
Admission: $15 Adults; $10 children.
Virginia National Ballet: Cinderella
Sat, Feb 15, 2:00 and 6:30
Merchant Hall
Admission: $40.
Youth Orchestras of Prince William: A February Festival
Sun, Feb 16, 12:00
Merchant Hall
Admission: $10.
Washington National Opera's Domingo-Cafritz Young Artists: The Consul
Sun, Feb 16, 4:00
Gregory Family Theater
Admission: Free.
The following list covering the next two weeks is extracted for your convenience from the master online calendar maintained by the office, with direct web links added when available. The list is accurate as of mid-week but for the most up-to-date information, please view the latest forecast of coming events on our website (News/OLLI Calendar). Note: All OLLI members are welcome at, and encouraged to attend, meetings of the Board of Directors, committees and resource groups, kick-off coffees, etc. (bolded below).
Sat Feb 8
10:30am
Tai Chi Club–TA-3
Wed Feb 12
1:30pm
1:45pm
1:45pm
Tallwood Book Club–TA-1
Bridge Club–TA-3
Spanish Club–TA-2
Fri Feb 14
9:15am
9:30am
9:30am
11:00am
11:00am
1:00pm
Recorder Consort–TA-3
Photography Club–TA-1
Craft and Conversation Group–Annex
Classic Literature Club–TA-2
Homer, etc.–Annex
Ice Cream Social–TA-1
Sat Feb 15
10:30am
1:00pm
Tai Chi Club–TA-3
Personal Computer User Group–TA-1
Wed Feb 19
1:30pm
1:45pm
2:00pm
Mah Jongg Club–Annex
Bridge Club–TA-3 Audiovisual Committee Meeting–TA-1
Fri Feb 21
9:15am
9:30am
10:00am
11:00am
11:00am
12:30pm
Recorder Consort–TA-3
Craft and Conversation Group–Annex Board of Directors Meeting–TA-1
Classic Literature Club–TA-2
Homer, etc.–Annex
Dr. Who Club–TA-3
OLLI E-News was created by Rod Zumbro, who served as its editor from 2005 to 2013.
Editorial Staff
Chief Editor: Paul Van Hemel
Associate Editor: David Gundry
Weekly Editor Team: David Gundry, John Nash, Sheri Siesseger, Leslie Vandivere,
Paul Van Hemel Proofreaders: Rebecca Jann, Susan Van Hemel, Linda Randall, Tom Appich, Roz Stark,
Jane Hassell
Backup Chief Editor: Alice Slayton Clark
Submissions: Members are encouraged to submit letters to the editor, letters to Ms. Ollie Ettakit (on etiquette matters), OLLI-related news items, articles, and photos. Submit material to: ollienewseditor@gmail.com. Deadline: Tuesday, 6:00, for that week's issue (Monday, 6:00, for letters to the editor); early submissions are greatly appreciated. Please limit articles to about 250 words. Note: You can view past issues of OLLI E-News on the DocStore. To search the content of issues, use Search Our Site or put your search term in Google followed by "site:ollidev2.earthcare.com/" without the quotes.
All OLLI members are cordially invited to attend the Theater Lovers' Group (TLG) meeting to hear a presentation by Terri Ritchey (shown at right) on the Prince William Little Theater (PWLT) and Sister Act. TLG will meet on Wednesday, February 26, in TA-1 at 2:00. Terri, an OLLI member, says she loves being on stage. She is an experienced director, choreographer, sound technician, and board member. She has also worked with the Little Theatre of Alexandria, Reston Community Theatre, and Castaways.At present, Terri is producing Sister Act for the PWLT at Mason's Hylton Performing Arts Center in Manassas. Sister Act is a feel-good musical comedy based on the 1992 film. Basically, a disco diva who witnesses a murder is put in protective custody in the one place cops would not think to look–